Wobble centrifuge

Abstract

A wobble centrifuge of the type in which a centrifuge drum is rotated about an axis and, in addition, has its axis gyrated about another axis for the controlled discharge of the solids from the large-diameter end of the frustoconical drum structure. The latter comprises a support arrangement of bars and rings which retain the rods forming the drum wall and defining between them openings through which the liquid is centrifugally forced. According to the invention, means is provided for imparting a periodic relative longitudinal displacement to these latter rods thereby dislodging solids which may become wedged into the gaps between the rods.

I claim: 
     
       1. A wobble centrifuge comprising: a frustoconical drum having a sieve surface made up of individual spaced-apart rods defining slot-like gaps between them and surrounding a drum axis, said rods being affixed to flanges at opposite axial end of the drum and being adapted to receive a suspension of solids in a liquid whereby liquid is centrifugally discharged through said slots and said solids pass off a large diameter end of said drum;   means connected to said drum for rotating said drum about said drum axis and for orbiting said drum axis about another axis whereby said drum undergoes a wobble movement to impart a discharge pulse to solids passing from said drum; and   means for imparting relative movement to said rods of said drum whereby the relative movement of said rods dislodges solids tending to collect in said gaps, said means for imparting relative movement to said rods including a support structure surrounding said rods and connected to said drum capable of undergoing elastic deformation, wobbling of said drum applying a gyratory moment to said dstructure inducing deformation of said drum and the relative movement of said rods, said support structure comprising a plurality of angularly equispaced bars extending along generatrices of said drum and affixed to one of said flanges but unconnected to the other flange, and a plurality of axially spaced rings surrounding said rods and secured to said bars.   
     
     
       2. The centrifuge defined in claim 1 wherein said bars are formed as flat plates of rectangular cross section having a height transverse to the drum surface which is at least several times greater than the thickness of the bar. 
     
     
       3. The centrifuge defined in claim 2 wherein the ratio of the height to the thickness of the bar is at least 4. 
     
     
       4. The centrifuge defined in claim 3 wherein said ratio is between substantially 8 and 10. 
     
     
       5. The centrifuge defined in claim 4 wherein each bar has a triangular cross section and said gaps widen in cross section outwardly.